Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

November, 2010

Q: What are the signs that my spouse is cheating?

A: Below is a list of some of the signs that your spouse MAY be cheating. Please do not confront your spouse if you do not have hard evidence. Hiring a Private Investigator to gather evidence is one way to legally find actual proof. Please read the article under our "Additional Information" tab about reasons to hire a Private Investigator to help you.

Usually, the thing that will tip you off is a change in behavior. Below are just a few of the behaviors that you might observe, if your loved one is being unfaithful:

Odd Behavior At Home:

Your partner or spouse…

Appears distant, show a lack of interest or develop an unexplained aloofness.

Is frequently tired or lack interest in the relationship.

Comes home smelling of an unfamiliar fragrance.

Wears cologne much more often than usual.

Arrives home and heads straight into the shower/bath.

Gets dressed up a little too well (to) for trips to the grocery or running some other kind of errand or menial task.

Begins to speak more and more harshly to you, or are more sarcastic. Sometimes this is just an attempt to justify their cheating…or to give them an excuse to storm out of the room/house.

Asks about your schedule more often than usual.

Develops an increased focus on losing weight or pays more attention to their appearance.

Is no longer interested in sex, or he/she makes excuses for its infrequency.

Starts to request kinky or other erotic sexual activity (behavior) that you've never done before, including watching porn

Shows a "new talent" in the bedroom (that they might have learned from the individual with whom they've been cheating)

Appears reluctant to kiss you, or show affection toward you.

Criticizes you for showing him attention.

Continues giving poor excuses for why they are not in the mood to make love.

Work-related Signs That He May Be Cheating:

Your partner or spouse…

Work longer hours, more frequently…and keep you from viewing their paycheck/pay-stubs

Changes their established routine with no apparent reason

Begins discouraging you from calling them at work

Is often "unavailable" when you try to call them at work.

Returns calls long after you leave a message for them.

Prefers to attend work functions (or any events) alone and tries to discourage you from attending.

Takes more trips for business reasons and even refuses to let you drive them to the airport.

Telephone Mannerisms That Are Different:

Your partner or spouse…

Receives "mysterious" phone calls.

You get an increasing number of hang-ups or "wrong numbers" when you pick up the phone. Especially if the caller hangs up after hearing your voice and doesn't speak. Generally when a person dials a "wrong" number, they will at least ask, "Is Fred there?" before hanging up (though not always).

Phone bills that show unexplained toll or long distance charges.

Hurriedly picks up the phone to answer it before you do.

Leaves the room to talk on the phone.

Whispers while on the phone.

Suddenly need a cell phone (or pager) and discourages you from looking at or using the phone or pager.

Deletes numbers from "caller ID".

Behaves differently or ends the telephone calls abruptly when you enter the room. Or appears to hang up quickly.

Paper Trails of a Cheating Spouse:

Credit card receipts for gifts you didn't receive.

An increase in ATM withdrawals. Especially those from out-of-town (receipts bear a time/date stamp).

Credit card receipts showing purchases from places unknown to you or that seem suspect

They rush to get the mail before you do.

They gets a separate P.O. Box.

Unusual phone numbers appearing on the bill.

The duration and time of the calls appear excessive.

They are secretive about their cell phone bill.

They start to pay for their own phone bill when they didn't before.

You notice business travel or other deductions for travel or other expenses that you were unaware of.

Unexplainable mileage or a lack of additional mileage. For example, if your spouse states that they went out of town yet the odometer indicates that only a distance of 25 miles had been driven. Conversely, if they says that they've only been to the office that day, yet their odometer shows many more miles had been driven, this too, may be a significant matter.

Internet Infidelity Warning Signs

They warily guards access to his computer.

They shut down the computer as you walk into the room.

They add password protection their computer.

Or they stay up to "work" on the computer long after you've gone to bed.

They delete email messages or clear their computer history more frequently

Again, these behaviors are only indicators of a cheating spouse and are not absolutes.

A. Private investigators have existed for more than 150 years. The first known private detective agency opened in France in 1833. In 1850, Allan Pinkerton formed Pinkerton National Detective Agency, which grew into one of the most famous detective agencies in the United States. The Pinkerton Agency became notorious for breaking strkes, but it also made several contributions to the fields of law enforcement and investigation. The agency takes credit for the concept of the mug shot, and the term "private eye" came from the original Pinkerton logo (see below).

Special side note: Ironically, Dan's grandfather, Malachi Thadeus Gleason, was a Pinkerton's Private Detective in Nova Scotia, Canada in the early 1900's. Dan's grandfather met his grandmother Mimi in Nova Scotia. They got married and moved to Scottsville, NY where they opened the Red & White Grocery Store.

September, 2010

Q: Why hire an investigator? Why not just do it myself?

A: Surveillance and surveillance counter measures (debugging/sweeping) is a science. They are methods in which the truth can be uncovered or exposed. Conducted properly, it is a record of what actually occurred or was revealed, and can be used during subsequent litigation. A private investigator is an impartial party.

Q. Do private investigators need a license? Is your company licensed and insured?A. In most states a private investigator must meet specific training and regulatory requirements. Our company is licensed and insured.

Q: What are the skills needed to become a successful Private Investigator?

A: Successful private investigators have tremendous common sense and quick reasoning skills. These skills can make the difference between success and failure on a case as well as getting hurt or staying safe. A variety of skills are much better than a single specialty. Having business skills are actually more important than investigative skills. Even if you are a great at a particular specialty, unless you know how to market yourself and acquire clients, you will never financially succeed as a private investigator.

Q: What are the traits of a successful Private Investigator?

A: The traits of a successful private investigator include patience, discipline, common sense, intuition, anticipation, focus, the ability to listen, the ability to always welcome constructive criticism, and to continuously seek to further your education in a variety of areas.

Q: Must a Private Investigator carry liability insurance?

A: Private Investigators are only required to carry insurance if carrying a firearm. Investigators must maintain a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance for loss due to bodily injury or death and $500,000 for one loss due to injury or destruction of property.

Q: How much is an initial consultation?

A: ALL initial consultations are FREE.

Q. How much does a private investigation cost?A. Reputable agencies require that you post a retainer fee upon contract. The retainer fee is based on location, the type of case, and the estimated time required to accomplish all the objectives ordered by the client. We provide specific quotes and hourly rates upon every consultation.

Q: If you do not think you can handle a case will you still take it just to go through the motions and collect a fee?

A: NEVER! If we do not feel we can handle your request, you will be referred to another agency we feel can handle it. If it is a "lost cause" investigation, we will tell you that up front. If after the warning, you want us to attempt it anyway, we will do our utmost to provide a satisfactory conclusion.

Q: How long does it take for you to start working on a case?

A: The actual response time will depend on our current case load. You will be told the exact start date. This is normally within 3-5 days. You will also be given an estimated completion date whenever possible.

Q: Must a Private Investigator's findings be submitted to the client in writing?

A: Investigative reports must be submitted in a manner agreed upon by the investigator and the client. If there is no agreement, oral reports are as acceptable as written reports. Investigative reports must be submitted to the client upon demand if payment has been rendered. Private investigators must make every effort to ascertain that the information acquired is factual and correct.

Q: Do you guarantee success in obtaining my desired results or in finding individuals?

A: NO; we do our best to achieve the desired results in an accurate and timely manner. These results may not always be what you either hoped for or expected.

When it comes to Missing Persons* we cannot conduct research for free, therefore, we cannot provide full refunds for failure to find the requested information. In all cases if we fail to find the person, we will return any part of the retainer we did not spend directly on the search.

Q. Can I follow my spouse and do my own detective work?A. Such activities are frequently perceived by the courts as stalking, and in many cases result in a restraining order prohibiting further contact with your spouse. The preferred method would be to hire a reputable, professional investigator that can obtain physical evidence and video as well as provide witness testimony.

Q: Can a Private Investigator carry a concealed weapon?

A: Yes. A Private Investigator may carry a concealed weapon on duty if he/she also has a exposed firearms permit, and possesses a concealed weapons permit issued by local law enforcement -or- is a retired peace officer with an endorsement to carry a concealed weapon-or-is an active duty peace officer

Q: Must Private Investigators who have concealed weapon permits, also have the Bureau's exposed weapons permit while on duty?

A: Yes. Even though a Private Investigator may possess a concealed weapons permit, he/she must also complete firearms training course and obtain the exposed firearms permit prior to carrying and using a firearm.

Q: Can a Private Investigator use a badge?

A: No. A Private Investigator may not carry or wear a badge in connection with an investigation since it may mislead others to believe that he or she is a peace officer or other government official.

Q: Can a Private Investigator act as a bodyguard?

A: A Private Investigator may protect individuals. However, he/she may only do so in connection with a case that he/she has been previously hired to investigate.

Q: Can a Private Investigator "ambulance chase"?

A: No. Private Investigators are prohibited from soliciting business from anyone who has sustained a bodily injury as a result of an accident or from soliciting business from a family member of anyone who has sustained a bodily injury or death. However, they may solicit business from persons having an indirect interest in the injury, such as the injured person's attorney, insurance company or employer.

Q: A Private Investigator has been hired to conduct an investigation. Who must he/she divulge information to?

A: A Private Investigator may not release information acquired during an investigation to anyone other than his or her client, unless otherwise instructed by the client. However, if there are any criminal offenses, information may be released to local law enforcement or the district attorney.

Q: Can a Private Investigator do anything that a police officer can do?

A: No. A Private Investigator has no law enforcement authority even if he/she has been hired by law enforcement to perform an investigation. A Private Investigator is an ordinary citizen and can only make citizen's arrests.

Q: Can a Private Investigator represent themselves as government officials?

A: No. Private Investigators may not present themselves as anyone other than a Private Investigator. The law prohibits the use of any title, uniform, insignia, identification card or any statement which gives the impression that they are connected with any federal or state agency.

Q: Do Private Investigators have access to government records?

A: Having a private investigator’s license does allow you access to several proprietary databases that are not available to the general public. These include data aggregators such as:

A: Even though the State Police, Department of Public Safety, or the Secretary of State licenses most private investigators, a PI has no more police powers than the average citizen. In most states a PI license only permits the private investigator the privilege to loiter.

Q: Can your company provide surveillance and video evidence that is admissible in court?A. Yes. It is the policy of our company to build your case based on legitimate, courtroom worthy evidence and testimony.

Q: Can a Private Investigator enter property without an owner's consent?

A: No. A Private Investigator may not enter any private building without owner's consent.

Q. Can your company obtain my spouses telephone and cellular phone records without them knowing about it?A. No. Our company policies prohibit us from acquiring, selling, or providing telephone records to any individuals or entities. Any such records should be obtained through the normal process of legal discovery.

Q. My spouse is hiding money and assets from me and refuses to tell me where it is. Can your company locate the assets for me? A. Our company policies prohibit us from acquiring, selling, or providing 3rd party financial information. Any such records should be obtained through the normal process of legal discovery.

Q. Does your company provide background checks on individuals?A. We do provide background checks for clients that have been properly screened, meet all requirements, and that have an active agreement for investigative services.

*Missing Persons - See our "additional information" page for a checklist of what to do if a loved one becomes missing.